September 4, 2009China prepares parade and epic film for 60th birthday

On October 1, China will celebrate its 60th birthday with massive celebrations that will rival last year’s Olympics opening ceremonies. The 200,000 performers will congregate around Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to commemorate the establishment of the People’s Republic.

Government officials are keeping mostly mum about the details of the occasion. Hu Jintao is slated to deliver a speech, followed by a decennial military parade that will include the brand new Dongfeng 41, a Chinese-made intercontinental ballistic nuclear missile with a range of 7,500 miles.

The Rand Corporation said last month that China has upgraded the quantity and quality of short-range missiles, making it more difficult for the U.S. to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. China contends that the missiles are for deterrence.

Meanwhile, Jackie Chan and Jet Li are among the cast of an epic Communist revolution film that will also figure into the birthday festivities. “Jian Guo Da Ye” (The Founding of a Republic) reportedly cost less than $10 million and will be released on September 17, two weeks before the anniversary celebrations.